This project seeks to build a mathematical model of CARS imaging based on results of numerical simulations that will allow for the first time to reliably interpret the CARS images in cells.
Postdoctoral fellow: Dr. Konstantin Popov, Physics, University of Ottawa
Lead faculty member: Dr. Lora Ramunno, Physics, University of Ottawa
Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) microscopy is a very promising method of directly imaging biological processes occurring in living cells. It is unique because the imaging does not harm the cell, is molecule specific, and does not require the introduction of additional chemicals that may alter the biology. For example, CARS would allow us to visualize how viruses invade a cell membrane, which is still a mystery.
The first steps towards commercialization have been undertaken by collaborators at the National Research Council and Olympus. However, there is no detailed mathematical model that describes how CARS images are created in these complex systems. This is critical to understanding what the image actually tells you about the sub-cellular objects under study. I propose to build a mathematical model of CARS imaging based on results of numerical simulations that will allow us for the first time to reliably interpret the CARS images in cells.